Whether Apple likes it or not, the new iPhone 14 will be available in Russia, Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov confirmed to the RIA Novosti news agency.
However, Apple quickly suspended sales in the country after the Ukraine invasion began. “We have stopped all exports to our sales channel in the country,” the group said in a March 1 press release.
But Moscow was quick to react by establishing a parallel import program by allowing retailers to import products, without authorization from brand owners.
Reuters indicates that the Russian operator MTS already offered this Thursday, September 8, the new iPhone models for pre-order. The first price was shown at 84,990 rubles (1,398 euros) for the 128 GB version compared to 1,019 euros in France. However, MTS notes that delivery could take up to 120 days, with the possibility of the operator canceling the order.
Apple is not the only company affected by this parallel import system. H&M or Nike, as well as luxury or Western cars are also involved, with the program accounting for almost 4% of Russian imports last month.
Source: BFM TV
